President & Chief Executive Officer - The George Washington Foundation

THE OPPORTUNITY

The George Washington Foundation seeks a dynamic and visionary President & Chief Executive Officer to lead one of Virginia's most respected historic organizations and advance its mission of preserving, interpreting, and sharing the stories of George Washington, Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis, and the people whose lives shaped early America.

For more than a century, the Foundation has served as a steward of nationally significant historic resources, including Historic Kenmore, George Washington's Ferry Farm, and the Accokeek Furnace site. Together, these properties provide visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the formative years of America's first president, the complexities of colonial Virginia, and the evolving story of our nation through preservation, archaeology, education, and public engagement.

The Foundation stands at an exciting moment in its history. Over the past two decades, significant investments have transformed Ferry Farm from a field destined for a big box store to a nationally recognized historic destination featuring reconstructed buildings, expanded interpretation, and growing public engagement. Historic Kenmore continues to serve as a treasured cultural and educational resource for the Fredericksburg region, while ongoing archaeological discoveries, collections initiatives, and educational programming continue to deepen the Foundation's impact.

Building upon this strong foundation, the next President & CEO will have the opportunity to guide the organization through its next phase of growth. Key priorities include strengthening fundraising and donor engagement, expanding audience development efforts, increasing organizational capacity, advancing strategic site development projects, and preparing the Foundation to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 300th anniversary of George Washington's birth.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished nonprofit executive, fundraiser, relationship builder, and public ambassador who is energized by the opportunity to lead a mission-driven organization of national significance. While an appreciation for history and preservation is important, the Foundation seeks a leader whose strengths include strategic execution, organizational leadership, community engagement, and the ability to inspire support among donors, trustees, staff, and the broader public.

MISSION

The George Washington Foundation enhances public understanding and appreciation of the lives, values, and legacies of George Washington, Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis, and their families through preservation, research, education, interpretation, and stewardship of Historic Kenmore, George Washington's Ferry Farm, and the Accokeek Furnace site.

POSITION SUMMARY

The President & Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief executive officer of the George Washington Foundation and is responsible for providing strategic, operational, financial, and philanthropic leadership for the organization.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President & CEO will work closely with trustees, staff, donors, volunteers, community partners, and public officials to advance the Foundation's mission and long-term vision. The next leader will inherit a healthy and well-positioned organization with a talented staff, strong community reputation, significant historic assets, and meaningful opportunities for continued growth.

The President & CEO serves as the Foundation's chief spokesperson, chief fundraiser, and principal ambassador while ensuring effective management of the organization's programs, finances, historic resources, and personnel.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $195,000 to $220,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The George Washington Foundation offers a generous benefits package.

QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Leadership & Organizational Management

• Demonstrated success leading a nonprofit, cultural, educational, philanthropic, membership-based, or mission-driven organization of meaningful scale and complexity.


• Demonstrated success leading, developing, and retaining high-performing teams and fostering a positive organizational culture built on trust, accountability, collaboration, and respect.


• Ability to think strategically while successfully executing complex initiatives and managing competing priorities.


• A collaborative leadership style characterized by integrity, curiosity, humility, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to people.

Fundraising & External Relations

• Significant fundraising experience, including major gift cultivation, donor stewardship, foundation relations, capital campaign participation, endowment development, and philanthropic strategy.


• Proven ability to serve as the public face and spokesperson for an organization, inspiring confidence among donors, board members, staff, volunteers, community leaders, elected officials, and other stakeholders.

Board Governance

• Experience working effectively with a governing board, including supporting governance, committee structures, strategic planning, and board engagement.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Strong financial and operational management experience, including budgeting, planning, resource allocation, and organizational sustainability.

Strategic Growth & Institutional Development

• Experience leading organizational growth, institutional advancement, capital projects, campus development, or other significant organizational initiatives is desirable.

Mission & Sector Knowledge

• Strong relationship-building skills and a demonstrated ability to engage diverse constituencies while creating enthusiasm for an organization's mission and future.


• An appreciation for history, preservation, education, archaeology, and cultural stewardship. Deep scholarly expertise is not required, but enthusiasm and commitment are desirable.

Communication Skills

• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, writing, presentation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

FREDERICKSBURG

Fredericksburg, Virginia offers a rare combination of historic charm, economic opportunity, outdoor recreation, and access to major metropolitan areas. It is often described as a place where residents can enjoy a high quality of life without sacrificing professional opportunities. It is ideally located with easy access to Washington, DC, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Chesapeake Bay / Atlantic Ocean.

Founded in 1728, Fredericksburg features a vibrant downtown with preserved historic architecture, walkable streets, local shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Residents enjoy living in a community that values its history while continuing to grow. The area is known for active civic organizations, nonprofit institutions, churches, arts groups, and volunteer opportunities. Families often cite the welcoming atmosphere and community involvement as major reasons for relocating.

The region benefits from strong public and private school options as well as higher education institutions such as University of Mary Washington, which contributes cultural, educational, and economic vitality to the community.

HOW TO APPLY

The George Washington Foundation has retained Warren Whitney to assist with this search.

Applications should include a cover letter and resume. Warren Whitney welcomes confidential conversations with prospective candidates and may be contacted through Meredith Handakas ([email protected]) or Katherine Whitney ([email protected]).

For best consideration, please apply by July 24, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The George Washington Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity of background, experience, and perspective. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.